Mr Muhammad Saqib bin Iqbal Shaami alias Saqib Iqbal Shami, a citizen of the United Kingdom and renowned Islamic preacher, is touring India from January 26 onwards and organizing Islamic religious events in various cities.
As a part of his 26-day tour in India, this Pakistan born Islamic preacher, is scheduled to attend a massive religious event on 4th February 2023 at Warangal, Telangana, as a chief guest and principal speaker. In this regard, the Bharatiya Rashtra Samiti (BRS) MLA Nannapuneni Narender representing East Warangal constituency also released a poster welcoming the Islamic preacher Saqib Iqbal Shami to the city.
However, the Indian government on various occasions reiterated that no foreigners are allowed to be involved in Tablighi or religious activities in India.
The Union Ministry of Home Affairs, in its reply under RTI, has made it clear that the government of India does not issue visas to religious preachers who desire to visit India to participate in religious campaigns and religious activities.
After noticing this tour, Legal Rights Protection Forum, an NGO, has filed a complaint to the concerned authorities at Ministry of Home Affairs stating his Indian tour is unlawful. The LPRF urged the ministry to take necessary and preventive steps to stop his scheduled event in Warangal and take strict action against Saqib Iqbal Shami and the sponsors/organisers of the event under relevant sections of the Foreigners Act, 1946.
LRPF also cited that this Pakistani-born Saqib Iqbal Shami was one among the 120 Islamic scholars from the United Kingdom who wrote a letter to the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, expressing dissatisfaction and displeasure over the abrogation of Article 370 and imposition of lock-down in the Jammy and Kashmir, an act that is interfering and trying to influence the Indian internal policy matters. The NGO also requested the government to blacklist the Islamic preacher to prevent his further entry into India.
On 2nd February 2023, Saqib Iqbal Shami, addressed a massive religious program at Aligarh Muslim University, Uttar Pradesh, and termed it as the biggest political, cultural, social & Islamic gathering of all time. His FB and twitter accounts are filled with his upcoming tour and schedule.
Published oridinially in Nijam Today Title changed.
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